Ancient and weathered it stands like a sentinel at the gates of another realm. Seen from the foothills of the piedmont, the Blue Ridge Escarpment rises suddenly to divide the land, allowing passage through only a handful of mountain roads. Savvy motorcyclists gather along these roads to experience the sudden 2,000-plus climb over the Eastern Continental Divide into Western … [Read more...] about Escarpment escape: Two-wheeled heaven along The Blue Wall
blue ridge mountains
Stops for beer, wine or spirits
Ah, those glorious summer days filled with long rides through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The warm weather, blue skies and yet-to-be discovered roadside stops always enhance the riding experience for many motorcyclists. The questions always arise: Where are we going to stop for lunch? Want to grab a beer? The Southern Appalachian Mountains feature plenty of ale houses, taprooms, … [Read more...] about Stops for beer, wine or spirits
Tiny Bikes, Big Adventures: Taking a van packed with little motorcycles into the wild
I used to think 650cc and a single cylinder was all you needed. Now I’m sure the answer is 100cc. Maybe even 70cc .... Recently we threw some tiny bikes in the van and headed for the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our weapons of choice were a 1971 Honda CB100 and a 1981 Honda C70 Passport. While they may be small, they’re also slow! We weren’t in search of … [Read more...] about Tiny Bikes, Big Adventures: Taking a van packed with little motorcycles into the wild
Swimming spots : Cooling off during summer rides
By Sarah Merrell Summer often means sweltering, afternoon temperatures. If you find yourself dripping in sweat and cursing the heat during a ride, a nice cool, respite does exist — swimming holes. These gems range from crisp mountain lakes to chilled pools of water at the bases of waterfalls to fresh bubbling rivers. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a summer ride and cool off … [Read more...] about Swimming spots : Cooling off during summer rides